Consumers today buy devices not just for the hardware, but for the ecosystems they reside in.

From tablets to video game consoles, all devices are part of an ecosystem of compatible hardware, apps stores and multimedia services.

If you’re looking to buy a useful gift for a loved one, take a look at the devices he or she is already using. The key to giving your loved one a tech gift they can put to use is to match your gift to the ecosystem(s) they currently support.

Stay in the ecosystem

By now, technology is pervasive enough in society that most users have developed predilections for the devices and platforms they prefer. Giving a gift compatible with the recipient’s digital life shows you are mindful of their preferences

Gift cards have a bad rap, but they’re great for techies already used to digital currencies and balances.

Grab iTunes Store gift cards for users with Apple products, while Android device owners can make use of Google Play currency.

Amazon Kindle and Fire devices technically run Android, but don’t support the Play Store out of the box, so Amazon gift cards are the best bet for those users.

When purchasing currency or credits for video game consoles, make sure to double check which system your gift target plays on.

Microsoft and Sony also sell gift subscriptions enabling online play and other perks, called Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus, respectively. Get those if you’re looking to start or extend your player’s online game time subscription; otherwise opt for the general gift card that the player will be able to use on any digital content in the console’s online store.

Gifting apps, games and multimedia

In addition to gift cards, several online platforms will also let consumers gift games, apps and multimedia directly. This might be a slightly more personalized option for gift givers who don’t like gift cards or digital currencies.

Apple allows users to gift apps and content through the App Store using the “Gift this” option. The Play Store doesn’t have this functionality, though, so go with a gift card if your recipient is on Android.

The computer game platform Steam (steampowered.com) allows users to gift games, which pairs nicely with the massive sale the service has to close out the year. Nintendo eShop purchases through the website can be gifted to other users, but purchases made with the Shop Channel cannot. Sony and Microsoft currently do not allow the gifting of games directly from user to user, so a physical disc game is likely the way to go if you want to gift a specific title.

Owners of popular cord-cutting devices like Roku, Apple TV and Fire TV likely would love content to pair with the devices. Gift subscriptions to services like Netflix (netflix.com), Hulu (hulu.com) and Spotify (spotify.com) will keep streaming boxes busy in the cold winter months. Most services support multiple platforms, but double check that your recipient’s streaming box supports the gifted service before locking in the purchase.

Amazon allows users to give the gift of an Amazon Prime subscription (amazon.com/giftprime), which, in addition to access to Prime television and movie content, gives the recipient free two-day shipping on Amazon orders for the length of the subscription.

Hardware, accessories and in-game purchases

Unless you’re dealing with someone who is clearly yearning for a specific device, aim your hardware and accessory purchases at enhancing the digital environment the gift target is working with.

Since contracts and service agreements make phones difficult to gift, look into a hardware purchase, like tablets or wearables, in the same ecosystem or family as the target’s phone.

Tablets are a great way to expand your target’s tech footprint without burdening them with extra costs, since the recipient will likely be able to port over their existing app purchases to use on the new device. If your loved one is bleeding edge or highly active, consider an ecosystem-compatible smartwatch or wearable.

Since apps and games are moving to a longer-term platform model, find out if your gamer is deep into a game system like Disney Infinity, Skylanders, Lego Dimensions or Amiibo. These all have large figure collections that most players would likely love help bolstering.

Does your game player go mostly for online games or free-to-play titles? Online games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Hearthstone and World of Warcraft all offer digital currencies that help players add to and customize their game experience.

Digital purchases don’t have to mean a lack of sincerity. Take a look at how your gift recipient integrates technology with their life and leisure time to give a thoughtful, useful tech-based gift.

This is the opinion of Times Online Project Specialist Andrew Fraser. He’s on Twitter at @andrewfraser.

More technology advice

If you like this column, look for more technology advice from Andrew Fraser every Sunday on the Bright Ideas page. Online, look for www.sctimes.com/business.